Great Oak Manor Hosts Chef Travis Milton And OJ Lima For A Weekend Of Kentucky Derby Festivities

Whether sipped neat, on the rocks, or in a Mint Julep, bourbon is as synonymous with the Kentucky Derby as colorful, oversized hats. This year, however, if you can't make it to Churchill Downs for Derby Day, you can still have a proper Kentucky Derby experience. From Friday, May 3rd to Sunday, May 5th, TSR founder OJ Lima will be hosting Derby-themed bourbon tastings at Great Oak Manor in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay.

A Taste of Appalachia & Whiskey

Billed as ‘A Taste of Appalachia & Whiskey,’ the weekend of festivities are a tribute to the Kentucky Derby and the region surrounding the Bluegrass State. Alongside Lima’s whiskey-themed programming, Chef Travis Milton will be the mastermind behind multiple culinary experiences. Milton's known for his elevated and reimagined Appalachian cuisine at Hickory, the celebrated restaurant at Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards in Bristol, Virginia.

Kentucky Derby Programming at Great Oak Manor

In collaboration with Old Forester, the featured bourbon brand for the festivities, the weekend begins Friday night with a cocktail party hosted by Lima, followed by dinner and a fireside chat with Chef Milton. Derby Day kicks off with a cooking demonstration, a historical look at Old Forester, and a tasting of the brand's Whiskey Row series.

After a break for lunch, Lima will lead guests in the selection of a single barrel of Old Forester bourbon, which will be released later this year exclusively to patrons of Great Oak and members of Taste Select Repeat. As the races approach, attendees change into their derby attire to watch the races, play games, and drink mint juleps - the official cocktail of the Kentucky Derby. This experiential weekend wraps on Sunday with a full service brunch, inspired by Chef Milton’s Appalachian menu.

About Great Oak Manor

With breath-taking views and unparalleled service, Great Oak Manor is a luxury boutique hotel located in the Chesapeake Bay. Built in 1938, it was styled after an 18th Century English country estate and features 12 uniquely decorated bedrooms and suites. For more information about A Taste of Appalachia & Whiskey, go to greatoakmanor.com.